Lovers and Other Strangers Box Set: The Boston Stories by L.C. Giroux

made idle chit chat while Violet was helped to the bathroom.
    "How did you get in? I had heard Logan was still closed."
    "It is. The storm had already moved through New York so I flew there and got a car and drove up. Frankly, I expected her to be in much worse shape, actually, she seems to be doing great. The whole way up I kept thinking she was going to end up sedated or in restraints. I can't believe how relaxed she is. I can't thank you enough for what you have done for her. Beyond the surgery, I mean." Michael tried not to turn 10 shades of red. If this man knew the things he'd had thought about and done with his sister he'd be beating him senseless instead of thanking him.
    "The worst of the storm is over so hopefully you'll be able to take her home tomorrow." Why did that depress him so much. He could never say it out loud but being trapped in the hospital with Violet had been the closest thing to a relationship he'd allowed himself. Now she was going home and he'd only see her for follow up appointments. He'd see her drift away from him till they only had a professional relationship. That was what he had wanted last night before she had let him seduce her. Now that he had a glimpse of what life could be like, he couldn't bear to see her look at him as just another doctor or worse, just some poor man in a wheelchair.
    Her brother evidently had pull at the hospital, or the nurses were just thrilled to have another man around because the visiting hour rules didn't seem to apply to him. Michael never did get to see Violet alone again before she was discharged. It was maddening having her so close and not be able to touch her or wait beside her bed till she woke up and he could kiss her. He was starting to hate hospitals himself, while he finished signing her discharge paperwork.
    He had made his decision and rationally he knew it was for the best. Emotionally it meant his life would be utter crap till he got her out of his system but there wasn't any other way. It wasn't as though his life didn't feel empty before her but after her, well, it seemed to be a black hole now. Nothing left to do but to tell her and get the hell out of here.
    "Well, discharge paperwork is all done. I see you are packed, that's good. Hopefully they'll be around with a chair to take you downstairs in a bit. I don't know why but that always seems to be the hardest part, getting an orderly with a chair." Violet looked like she wanted to say something but kept looking at her brother and would stop. Just as well, he didn't want any heartfelt disclosures that would complicate what he had to do now.
    "Violet, I think you are doing quite well in your recovery. I am going to have my office transfer your care to one of my associates, Tom Waters is very good, nice guy, I think you'll like him. He'll set you up with any physical therapy you need. You don't need to come back to the office to have the staples removed. A visiting nurse will be in touch and set up a time in the next week or two. I've enjoyed having you as a patient." He'd run out of things to say but he still couldn't look at her.
    "Why?"
    He heard her anger. He'd expected disappointment given that her feelings wouldn't have receded yet though he knew they would, but he hadn't thought she would be angry. When he looked at her, her eyes were almost black with anger, there was that steel he always seemed to find in her. Part of him wanted to smile. He did like that unwillingness to let disappointment back her into a corner.
    "I think it is for the best, for now, if someone else attends to your care. I am sure I will still see you at the office and I will make sure to tell Tom to CC me on any notes."
    "Fine." She said as cutting as any stiletto. She moved to collect her things as the orderly brought the wheelchair in. Michael fought the urge to close his eyes. He wondered if there were a bar nearby already open because right at this moment he'd like to be blind drunk. If she had looked hurt he